Prediction: The Chiefs have won their last 11 games in a row against the Blues, though those wins have come by an average margin of just eight points. The Chiefs have won three of their last four regular season away games against fellow New Zealand opposition; three of those four games were won by the team trailing at half-time. The Blues have won five of their last seven Friday fixtures on home turf, including each of their last two; the last time they won more in succession was a seven-game streak from 2012 to 2014. The Blues have won only one of their last 21 New Zealand derbies, despite leading at half-time in four of their last seven. The Chiefs will be looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since the 2015 play-offs when they visited the Highlanders. While the Blues will always have a chance, given the talent at their disposal, they have simply not been consistent enough to overcome a team of the Chiefs' calibre - who will win by 15 points.

The build-up to this match - as has been for the last couple of months - has been overshadowed by the sideshows - the uncertainty over the future of the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels.

It has become such a big issues that captain Matt Hodgson has stepped in and started counselling his teammates.

Coach Dave Wessels praised Hodgson for his efforts "off the field" and what it has meant to the team.

Hodgson, a qualified mental health first-aid worker and an ambassador for the Living charity, has quietly been counselling players who are coming under increasing pressure over the uncertainty of their playing future.

"He has done a tremendous amount for our group," Wessels said.

"He is one of those guys the players play for and it is great to have him back [from injury].."

Wessels said this match is huge in the context of the Australian conference and his men are up for the challenge.

"We were very disappointed with our performance against the Highlanders and irrespective of who we are playing it's important that we respond with the same intensity that has been evident for the majority of our season so far," the coach said.

Reds coach Nick Stiles said that they played "relatively well" over the last month.

"We have beaten the Kings, we have beaten the Rebels and everyone said we should have beaten the Waratahs as well," he said.

"We have four games to go plat for, for the here and now, but also for the future of the organisation."

Prediction: The Force have won six and drawn one of their last nine games against the Reds, including wins in their last two meetings. A Round 12 win against the Rebels sees the Reds hunt for back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 17, 2014. Five of the last eight Australian derbies played on a Friday night have been won by the away team on the day. The Western Force have conceded just three tries this season when defending for seven or more phases, the joint fewest of any team in the competition. Eto Nabuli has had 11 try involvements so far this season (eight tries, three try assists), the joint fifth most of any player and the most of any player from outside New Zealand. It is tough to call, but we are going with the home team, the Reds, to sneak a late winner - by five points or less.